Anne Kirkbride is said to have refused chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer last year, causing the disease to spread to her brain, reportedly resulting in her death

The 'Coronation Street' actress - who passed away last night (19.01.15) - is said to have refused the treatment after being diagnosed with breast cancer, causing the disease to spread to her brain.

The 60-year-old star had taken a three month break from the ITV soap, in which she played Deirdre Barlow for over 40 years, last year for "personal reasons" and while she originally planned to return to the role, her illness is said to have gradually gotten worse.

Anne previously suffered from depression after battling an uncommon form of cancer called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and is reported by The Sun newspaper to have turned down chemo after being told she had breast cancer last year.

The decision is said to have led to the disease spreading to her brain, resulting in the beloved star's death.

However, a spokesperson for ITV said the actress' family - including her "heartbroken" husband David Beckett - would not be commenting on her cause of death.

Anne's former co-stars - including William Roache, who played her on-screen husband Ken Barlow, and Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth) - have spoken out about their shock at losing such a dear friend.